Astrocytes express functional chemokine receptors

Multiple lines of evidence are presented characterizing the functional expr ession of chemokine receptors CXCR4, CCR1, CCR5, and CX3CR1 on astrocytes. Most of these receptors are expressed at low levels and may only be detecta ble on a subset of cells during disease or following cytokine induction. Th e expression of CXCR2, CCR2, CCR3, CCR10, CCR11, and several orphan recepto rs associated with HIV-1 infection has also been proposed. The appearance o f several chemokine receptors implies a wider role for chemokines in the re gulation of central nervous system functions. Available evidence indicates that selected chemokines induce further chemokine synthesis in astrocytes p roviding a mechanism to amplify inflammatory responses in the central nervo us system. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.